Pakistan Defence Minister’s X Account Blocked in India After Terrorism Admission

New Delhi: In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif, has been restricted in India. The move comes just days after India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of circulating inflammatory, communal content and misinformation targeting India’s armed forces and security agencies. These channels collectively amassed over 63 million subscribers.

Recently, Khwaja Asif made headlines after admitting in an interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim that Pakistan had a long history of supporting and funding terrorist organizations. Responding to Hakim’s direct question, Asif said, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and for the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for it. Had we not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later after 9/11, Pakistan’s record would have been impeccable.” His comments highlighted Pakistan’s prolonged complicity in supporting terror groups.

Following the Pahalgam tragedy, the Indian government took a series of stringent diplomatic actions: closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani citizens giving them 40 hours to exit India and a reduction in diplomatic staff at both countries’ High Commissions.

Additionally, India decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, originally signed in 1960, as part of its response to the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, vowed that those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre would face retribution beyond their worst fears. He emphasized that the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians would dismantle the remaining networks of terror.